To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) for his assessment of introducing 20mph zones in residential areas; (ii) how many of such zones were introduced during 2023-24; and (iii) how many his Department plans to introduce in 2024-25.

The Department ran two trials on 20mph speed limits, one using signs only 20mph speed limits, and the other using a new arrangement of signs to introduce part-time 20mph speed limits at schools. The Review Report on the two trials issued in March 2021 and is available: 20mph Speed Limit Trials - Review Report | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)

To date the Department has introduced 20mph zones at over 700 locations, six of which were put in place during 2023-24 financial year. These are mostly in residential areas in conjunction with traffic engineering measures, such as road humps. There are currently no 20 mph zones planned for the 2024-25 financial year. In addition, over the past number of years the Department has introduced part-time 20mph limits at 215 schools and a review of this initiative is underway to determine if a further tranche is justified.